The True Meaning of Love: It's Not Just a Verb

The True Meaning of Love: It's Not Just a Verb

Love is a word that is thrown around a lot, but do we really understand what it means? It's easy to say "I love you" to someone, but what does it actually look like to love someone? In this article, we will delve into the true meaning of love and why it's not just a verb.

The Biblical Definition of Love

The Bible has a lot to say about love, and it's not just about the romantic kind. In fact, the most important kind of love that the Bible talks about is the love that God has for us and the love that we should have for Him and for others.

The greatest commandment, as Jesus said, is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). This means that love is not just an action, but it's also a state of being. It's not just something that we do, but it's a part of who we are as Christians.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," the apostle Paul gives a description of what love is and what it is not. He writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

From this passage, we can see that love is not just a feeling or an action, but it's a way of life. It's a choice that we make every day to put others before ourselves, to be patient and kind, and to seek the truth.

The Problem with Treating Love as a Verb

While it's true that love does involve actions, when we treat love as just a verb, we miss out on the deeper meaning of what it means to love someone. Love is not just something that we do, but it's also something that we are. It's a part of who we are as Christians and it affects every aspect of our lives.

When we reduce love to just a verb, it becomes something that we can turn on and off at will. We can choose to love someone one day and not love them the next. But when we understand that love is a state of being, something that is a part of who we are, we realize that we cannot just turn it on and off. It's something that we must continually cultivate and nurture in our lives.

Furthermore, when we treat love as just a verb, it becomes something that we can use to manipulate others. We can say "I love you" to someone and then use that as a way to get what we want from them. But when we understand that love is a way of life, something that is a part of who we are, we realize that it's not about what we can get from others, but what we can give.

What Love Looks Like in Practice

So what does love actually look like in practice? It's easy to say that we love someone, but how do we actually show it? Here are some practical ways that we can demonstrate love:

1. Sacrifice

One of the most important ways that we can show love is through sacrifice. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). While we may not be called to physically lay down our lives for someone, we can still sacrifice our time, our resources, and our own desires for the sake of others.

2. Forgiveness

Another way that we can show love is through forgiveness. When someone wrongs us, it's easy to hold a grudge and seek revenge. But as Christians, we are called to forgive others, just as Christ has forgiven us. Paul writes, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13).

3. Service

Love is also demonstrated through service. Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). When we serve others, we are following the example of Christ and demonstrating our love for them.

4. Kindness

Love is also shown through kindness. Paul writes, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). When we are kind to others, we are showing them the love of Christ.

The Importance of Pursuing Love

As Christians, our ultimate goal should be to become more like Christ, who is the epitome of love. When we pursue love, we are pursuing Christ and becoming more like Him.

Furthermore, when we love others, we are fulfilling the commandments of Christ. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

When we love others, we are not only demonstrating our love for God, but we are also being a witness to those around us. Our love for others should be a reflection of the love that Christ has for us.

Conclusion

Love is not just a verb, but it's a state of being. It's something that we must continually cultivate and nurture in our lives. When we understand the true meaning of love, we realize that it's not just about what we can get from others, but what we can give. We must be willing to sacrifice, forgive, serve, and show kindness to others. When we pursue love, we are pursuing Christ and becoming more like Him. Let us strive to love one another as Christ has loved us.